London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Sep 04, 2025

0:00
0:00

TikTok Sues Montana Over Law Banning the App

TikTok, the popular social media app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has sued the state of Montana over a law that would ban the app in the state.

The law, which was signed by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte last week, would take effect on January 1, 2024. It would prohibit TikTok from operating within the state and would also prohibit app stores from offering the app for download.

TikTok argues that the law is unconstitutional and violates its First Amendment rights. The company also argues that the law is based on unfounded concerns about the security of its data.

"TikTok is a popular and widely used platform for millions of Americans," the company said in a statement. "The state of Montana's law is a clear violation of the First Amendment and will have a chilling effect on free speech."

The law is the first of its kind in the United States. It is unclear whether other states will follow Montana's lead.

The case is being closely watched by legal experts and tech companies. It could have implications for the future of social media in the United States.

Background

TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. The app has been downloaded over 2 billion times and has over 1 billion active users.

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would have banned TikTok from the United States. The order was based on concerns that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to collect data on American users.

A federal judge blocked the order, and the Trump administration eventually withdrew it. However, the concerns about TikTok's security have persisted.

The Law

The law that TikTok is suing over was passed by the Montana Legislature in April 2023. The law prohibits TikTok from operating within the state and also prohibits app stores from offering the app for download.

The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.

The Argument

TikTok argues that the law is unconstitutional and violates its First Amendment rights. The company also argues that the law is based on unfounded concerns about the security of its data.

In its lawsuit, TikTok argues that the law is a "content-based restriction on speech" that is "presumptively invalid." The company also argues that the law is "not narrowly tailored" to its purported goal of protecting national security.

TikTok also argues that the law is based on "prejudice and stereotypes" about China. The company says that the law "is a thinly veiled attempt to discriminate against Chinese companies and their products."

The Implications

The case of TikTok vs. Montana is being closely watched by legal experts and tech companies. It could have implications for the future of social media in the United States.

If TikTok is successful in its lawsuit, it could set a precedent that would make it more difficult for states to ban social media apps. This could have a chilling effect on free speech and could make it more difficult for social media companies to operate in the United States.

On the other hand, if Montana is successful in its lawsuit, it could set a precedent that would allow states to ban social media apps that they believe are a threat to national security. This could lead to a patchwork of laws across the country, making it difficult for social media companies to operate.

The case is still in its early stages, and it is too early to say what the outcome will be. However, the case is likely to have a significant impact on the future of social media in the United States.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Queen Camilla’s Teenage Courage: Fended Off Attempted Assault on London Train, New Biography Reveals
Scottish Brothers Set Record in Historic Pacific Row
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Court of Appeal Allows Asylum Seekers to Remain at Essex Hotel Amid Local Tax Boycott Threats
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Nvidia Reveals: Two Mystery Customers Account for About 40% of Revenue
Woody Allen: "I Would Be Happy to Direct Trump Again in a Film"
Pickles are the latest craze among Generation Z in the United States.
Deadline Day Delivers Record £125m Isak Move and Donnarumma to City
Nestlé Removes CEO Laurent Freixe Following Undisclosed Relationship with Subordinate
Giuliani Seriously Injured in Accident – Trump to Award Him the Presidential Medal of Freedom
EU is getting aggressive: Four AfD Candidates Die Unexpectedly Ahead of North Rhine-Westphalia Local Elections
Lula and Putin Hold Strategic BRICS Discussions Ahead of Trump–Putin Summit
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that looks a lot like Telegram.
Investigations Reveal Rise in ‘Sex-for-Rent’ Listings Across Canada Exploiting Vulnerable Tenants
Chinese and Indian Leaders Pursue Amity Amid Global Shifts
European Union Plans for Ukraine Deployment
ECB Warns Against Inflation Complacency
Concerns Over North Cyprus Casino Development
Shipping Companies Look Beyond Chinese Finance
Rural Exodus Fueling European Wildfires
China Hosts Major Security Meeting
Chinese Police Successfully Recover Family's Savings from Livestream Purchases
Germany Marks a Decade Since Migrant Wave with Divisions, Success Stories, and Political Shifts
Liverpool Defeat Arsenal 1–0 with Szoboszlai Free-Kick to Stay Top of Premier League
Prince Harry and King Charles to Meet in First Reunion After 20 Months
Chinese Stock Market Rally Fueled by Domestic Investors
×